Switzerland Today

Dear Swiss Abroad,  

We kick off the week with fresh starts for some, like Kamala Harris who could become the first black woman to be president of the US. But Monday’s briefing will also touch on some lingering worries such as the ongoing debate over a potential Swiss law to ban Hamas, and perennial issues, like the double-edged sword of influencers boosting tourism yet sometimes overwhelming quaint Swiss villages with visitors.  

But first, here’s a roundup of today’s headlines. 

Keystone / Salvatore Di Nolfi

In the news: drowning accidents in Switzerland, Zurich Airport considers action over IT breakdown and Lake Parade in Geneva. 

• Swiss authorities recovered three bodies from local waters over the weekend, with one incident occurring in Zurich and two in Zug. Fatalities include a 15-year-old boy who drowned in Zurich’s Limmat River on Saturday evening. The city police reported that the boy jumped into the water and never resurfaced.  
• Zurich Airport is contemplating legal action following Friday’s IT mishap, which disrupted operations and caused significant financial damage. The extent of the financial impact is still being assessed. 
• The 22nd Lake Parade and the Lake Sensation in Geneva attracted over 100,000 people in summery weather on Saturday. There were no major incidents at either event. 

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Ageism, mental fitness and polarisation: how Switzerland sees the US presidential race  

When he first became senator in 1972, at the age of 30, Joe Biden was one of the youngest to hold that position in the United States. Over 50 years later, the president pulled out of the presidential race amidst widespread criticism over his age and mental fitness.  

Although widely expected, the news of Biden’s withdrawal dominated headlines worldwide, including in Switzerland. It’s “incomprehensible” that Biden didn’t realise sooner he needed to step aside, said an editorial of the CH Media group, which my colleague Thomas Stephens analysed this morning in his press review.  

Better late than never, some might say but the real question now is whether Vice President Kamala Harris, promptly backed by Biden, can beat former US President Donald Trump. Swiss media agree she’s not the ideal candidate but note that “it’s Trump who’s the old man” now, with Harris a “mere” 59 years old compared to Trump’s 78. 

By stepping down, Biden may have eased the worries of some Democrats, but he’s hardly quelled the deep political polarisation in the US. My colleagues Benjamin von Wyl and Vera Leysinger talked to some Americans living in Switzerland to understand how this divide affects their lives. Watch this video to find out what they had to say.

EPA/ALI ALI

Ban on Hamas: are Switzerland’s neutrality and humanitarian credentials at risk?  

It turns out that passing a law to ban a terrorist organisation in Switzerland might be easier said than done. The bill that the Federal Office of Police (Fedpol) is drafting to ban Hamas is stirring controversy on all levels, says Swiss public radio, RTSExternal link. 

On the one hand, the Federal Department of Home Affairs has criticised the fact that Fedpol’s first draft not only refers to Hamas, but to all organisations that “share its goals and means”. These would include Hezbollah, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iranian secret services. If the law were to pass as it stands, Switzerland’s position would be perceived as pro-Israeli and anti-Iranian, said the Swiss Federal Intelligence Service.  

On the other hand, certain sections of civil society are particularly concerned about the impact on Switzerland’s diplomatic and mediation efforts. The canton of Geneva, Amnesty International, and several think tanks are worried that the proposed law lacks clear exceptions for engaging with Hamas members in efforts to promote peace. 

My colleague Anand Chandrasekhar explains how banning Hamas could have consequences for humanitarian aid, peace negotiations and the Swiss financial sector. 

The Bernina Express offers breathtaking views of Graubünden as it travels across viaducts and past mountain streams and glaciers Keystone

Influencer-boosted tourism: a double-edged sword for Switzerland 

We end Monday’s briefing on a lighter note. Or maybe not. Swiss Federal Railways will spend millions on influencers for their marketing campaign, reports Swiss newspaper BlickExternal link. 

Despite regular criticism over their high spending on campaigns and PR, the rail company plans to invest tens of millions of Swiss francs in new contracts between 2025 and 2030. One is specifically for “Influencer Marketing” and aims at promoting their services to young people and boosting their presence on social media. 

While influencers can drive tourism to new heights in Switzerland, it doesn’t always end well, as some popular spots have faced negative impacts. Watch this video to find out why.